PLANS for repairs and upgrades to Great Malvern's historic railway station have been delayed.

National Rail, which owns and runs the country's rail infrastructure, put in a planning application for the work last month.

But the application, made to Malvern Hills District Council, has now been withdrawn.

This week, a National Rail spokesman said: "The application to Malvern Hills District Council to improve Great Malvern station has been withdrawn so that we can produce more detailed drawings and make some minor amendments. We will re-submit an application once this has been done.”

The station, a grade II listed building, was designed by the architect E W Elmslie, who was also responsible for Malvern St James close to the station, formerly the Imperial Hotel, and the bridge which carries Avenue Road over the railway.